Hardy, Stephen

Labour Law in and Industrial Relations in Great Britain

Historically, Great Britain was the 'workshop of the world', as an exporter of labour. As liberal capitalism grew from the 1850s, the great British regulatory frameworks also began in the workplace. Consequently, since the 1960s employers, employees and their representatives alike have sought to understand, clarify and utilize the principles which make up labour law in the British workplace. This monograph, part of the renowned International Encyclopaedia on Industrial Relations and Labour Law series, provides an analysis of the facets of laws governing the workplace in Great Britain. Whilst examining both UK Governmental employment initiatives and the EU's pervasive social policies, a pathway guiding the reader towards the underlying notions, concepts and principles will be given. More significantly, an explanation of the phases of labour law from the laissez-faire to the regulatory, to the decentralized and towards more recently, Blair's vision of 'third way' solutions, including new dispute resolution regimes, shall be provided.